Sweden is a world leader in methods for spreading ash on forest land
Photo: Elima Mwinyipembe
Sweden is a world leader in methods for spreading ash on forest land. The Swedish Forest Agency is therefore arranging an international seminar for representatives of government agencies, the forest industry and forest research as well as guests from Estonia and Latvia. Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson will speak about bioenergy and ash recycling on Wednesday May 16.
Women dairy farmers in Tajikistan. Photo: SIDA/Sven Bjerlestam
Fairer conditions for the world's farmers
The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) today endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests. The CFS is a joint committee consisting of UN bodies and civil society.
"The strength of the Voluntary Guidelines is that they are based on rights and highlight issues important to Sweden, such as rights of ownership and use. This particularly applies to women, who are often the ones who work the land. These issues are important, not least as regards justice, access to food and jobs that provide a chance to break out of poverty," says Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson.
Highlight on school meals
On Monday 26 March, Eskil Erlandsson participated in a round-table discussion on wholesome food and public meals arranged by the Swedish Embassy in Berlin. Germany's Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner was invited along with several other actors in the area from both Sweden and Germany.
Photo: Elima Mwinyipembe
Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife, Clément Gignac, in Sweden
On Thursday 26 January, Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson met his colleague Clément Gignac, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife of the province of Quebec in Canada. The meeting was a follow-up to Mr Erlandsson's trip to Canada in autumn 2011.
Photo: Anna-Karin Nyman
Inspiration for New York from Sweden, the culinary nation
On Sunday, Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson will arrive in New York. During his visit, Mr Erlandsson hopes to inspire the residents of New York with Swedish cuisine. The term covers everything from coffee and cake to nutritious school food.
Photo: Eddie Granlund/Johnér
The Forest Kingdom gets a helping hand from Canada
Today, Tuesday, the minister responsible for forests, Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson, will travel to Canada to seek knowledge and find inspiration for the Government's new project 'The Forest Kingdom'. The objective is to create more and new jobs in Sweden based on the country's forests.
Two new brochures on forests
Two brochures on Sweden's forests have been published in English in the past week. 'Competitiveness requires gender equality' is the English translation of the Government's gender equality strategy for the forestry sector. The gender equality strategy is limited to the forestry sector and has three focus areas: education, working life and private forest ownership.
The second brochure is a translation of the Government's action plan 'Sweden - the Forest Kingdom'. The Forest Kingdom is the Government's vision for creating new job opportunities in connection with Sweden's forests.
Sweden - a culinary nation for the future
Chef Viktor Westerlind, member of the Swedish National Culinary Team preparing dinner. Photo: Hanna Eriksson
The culinary nation of the future 2020 and gastronomic regions were the focus of the conference on 'Sweden - a new culinary nation' that was arranged for the second year running on Öland on 28-29 September 2011. Over 160 food enthusiasts from the private and public sector took part.
Magnus Kindbom to open seminar on World Food Day, 14 October
On Friday 14 October 2011, a seminar will be held at the Government Offices to mark World Food Day. This year's theme is 'Food Prices - From Crisis to Stability', which focuses on the recent heavy price fluctuations on the food market, their underlying causes and the impact they have.
The seminar will be opened by State Secretary Magnus Kindbom, who is also chair of the Swedish FAO Committee.
Photo: Eddie Granlund/Johnér
Eskil Erlandsson presented action plan for the Forest Kingdom
In the spring, Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson launched his vision of `The Forest Kingdom - with values for the world'.
At a press conference on Tuesday 9 August, the next stage of the vision was presented - an action plan for work over the coming years.
"The action plan will be our roadmap for work over the coming years and I hope that it will help to make us even better at making use of the many values embodied by our forests," says Mr Erlandsson.
